Chapter 3 - staying behind

His old bedroom; his old car; the circle of friends he had long since lost touch with. The novelty of it all soon wore off. What had he done? Why would anyone want to come back here? And, to top it all off, he had a staggering debt that he needed to pay off for the privilege.

“I’ve changed my mind about college,” Michael announced to his dad at the breakfast table the next morning. “I want to get a job instead.” That had gone down poorly; he knew it would. But why would he want to spend the next three years learning things he’d already done? He needed to get out there, into the real world, right now! He needed money he could invest! This eighteen year old needed to grow up, fast!

“I think Erica is the one,” Jamie sighed into his beer. “I was thinking of giving her the ring my grandma left me. I mean, why not? I know I’m going to be with her forever.”

Sitting at a table beside the swimming pool, Michael found himself unable to bite his tongue. “You won’t,” he hit back bitterly. “Erica goes to college and meets someone new. Be prepared. If I remember correctly, I think she dumps you by text message.”

Jamie looked back in shock. “What are you on about, man?”

Michael had had enough of all of the teenage angst and naïve optimism. Sometime he just gave it to them straight; then back-tracked and pretended that he was only joking. In truth, there was only one reason why he was here tonight, at this house party.

“Lori!” Michael smiled, seeing the stunning girl walk by. Just like all of the other confident girls, the beautiful eighteen year old was dressed only in her swim suit, showing off her stunning figure: the narrow waist, perfectly balanced by large breasts and perfect hips. Michael couldn’t help himself getting a peep at her cute butt as she walked by, feeling aroused, knowing how big and heavy it was going to grow over the next few years. She’d had an arm draped over her by Kieran Lewis all evening; the jock marking his claim over her. No wonder Michael had never picked up on her attraction to him; guys like Kieran rarely let these girls out of their sights.

“How’re you doing?” Michael asked, finally seeing her alone for the first time in hours and seizing upon the opportunity.

Lori looked around to see who was talking to her. “Oh, Michael,” she smiled in surprise. “Yeah, alright,” she replied, with a deliberate tone of false disinterest.

“I hear you’re working in your mom’s hair salon now?” Michael asked, trying desperately to stop his eyes slipping onto Lori’s chest. “You’re earning some real cash, instead of all these guys, heading off to college.”

“Yeah,” Lori nodded; a little smirk on her face. “It feels good! What about you? Are you all ready for college? Business school, isn’t it?”

“I’m not going,” Michael replied. “I changed my mind. I’m going to be sticking around here instead.”

Lori’s eyebrows rose. “Really?” she asked, unable to hide her interest.

“Yeah,” Michael nodded, enjoying the slight sexual tension he would never have picked up on before. “I’ll be seeing you around here still.”